Microsoft to offer MS Paint as a free app from Windows Store

Microsoft has confirmed that MS Paint will get a new home in the Windows Store and will be available as a free application. Microsoft Paint was first introduced in 1985 and has now been removed from Windows 10's upcoming update.

Microsoft Paint, the 32-year-old legacy Windows application is not dead. Microsoft has officially confirmed that MS Paint won't be killed but instead will be offered via Windows Store. The official update comes after uproar over reports that Microsoft is killing Paint with the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. The Redmond-based software maker published a detailed list of features that will be removed with the upcoming Windows 10 update. The list confirmed that Microsoft wants to deprecate Paint and will remove it from Windows altogether.

Microsoft confirms that MS Paint is not going anywhere and will be offered for free via Windows Store. "MS Paint is here to stay, it will just have a new home soon, in the Windows Store where it will be available for free," Megan Saunders, General Manager, 3D for Everyone Initiative, Windows Experiences wrote in the blog post.

While Microsoft plans to offer Paint via Windows Store, the focus is being redirected to newly announced Paint 3D application. Microsoft announced Paint 3D as an improved version of Paint with Windows 10 Creators Update in April. The new Paint 3D application works alongside the traditional application and offers additional features like for 3D image making on top of basic 2D image editing. Microsoft says it will continue to update MS Paint with new features including many of the features like photo editing, line and curve tools, and 2D creation is in Paint 3D currently available on MS Paint.

Microsoft wants Windows Store to become the go to place for downloading applications and wants to end the legacy method of app distribution. In order to fuel the growth of Windows Store, Microsoft announced a streamlined version of Windows called Windows 10 S that only allows downloading apps from the Store. Microsoft also offers Desktop Bridge, a tool to migrate traditional programs to Universal Windows Platform and then distribute it via Store.

Microsoft claims to have over 500 million active Windows 10 users but Windows Store doesn’t offer some of the most popular apps available on competing platforms. By moving MS Paint to Windows Store, Microsoft’s larger ambition would be to convince more developers to distribute their applications via Store.

Digit caters to the largest community of tech buyers, users and enthusiasts in India. The all new Digit.in continues the legacy of Thinkdigit.com as one of the largest portals in India committed to technology users and buyers. Digit is also one of the most trusted names when it comes to technology reviews and buying advice and is home to the Digit Test Lab, India's most proficient center for testing and reviewing technology products.